The Influence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity on School Adjustment among Adolescents: Focusing on the Moderated Mediation Effect of Depression by Household Economic Status

Background: This study examines the influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity on school adjustment among adolescents and investigates the moderated mediation effect of depression on household economic status.Methods: The research hypotheses were tested using data from the Korean Teenagers’ Mental Health Study and analyzed utilizing the PROCESS Macro method.Results: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity had a significant negative impact on students’ school adjustment. Additionally, depression partially mediated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity and school adjustment. While household economic status did not moderate the influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity on school adjustment, it did moderate the mediating effect of depression. Specifically, the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity and school adjustment was more pronounced for adolescents from low-income households than for those from medium- or high- income households.Conclusions: This study discusses the research implications and considerations.